Zig-zag bridge

Zig-zag Bridge
A Zig-zag bridge at the National Palace Museum in Taipei
A Zig-zag bridge
at the National Palace Museum in Taipei
AncestorBeam bridge
RelatedNone
DescendantNone
CarriesPedestrians
Span rangeShort
MaterialPost and plank
MovableNo
Design effortLow
Falsework requiredNo

A zig-zag bridge is a pedestrian bridge composed of short segments, each set at an angle relative to its neighbors and usually with an alternating right and left turn required when traveling across the bridge. It is used in standard crossings for structural stability; and in traditional and contemporary Asian and Western landscape design across water gardens.

When constructed of wood, each segment is formed from planks and is supported by posts. When constructed of stone, the bridge will use short or long rectilinear slabs set upon stone footings.